‘In Good Company’ Series From Paul & Chris Weitz Based On Movie Set At CBS

There have been a lot of series based on movies this development season. Here is one that sets itself apart as the filmmaker behind it also is shepherding the series. CBS has given a script commitment with penalty toIn Good Company, a half-hour hybrid comedy based on Paul Weitz’s 2004 movie, with Weitz on board to co-write and executive produce. His brother, Chris Weitz, also executive produces. Universal TV is producing with Weitz brothers’ Depth of Field banner, which also co-produced the movie with Uni TV sibling Universal Pictures.

The TV series, which Paul Weitz will co-write with Josh Bycel and Jon Fener (Happy Endings), will stay close to the plot of the movie. It will center on a middle-aged ad exec who contends with his new boss who’s half his age, and who also begins dating his daughter.

The movie — which Paul Weitz wrote, directed and produced — starred Dennis Quaid as Dan, a 51-year-old happily married ad executive who is demoted following an acquisition of his magazine and gets 26-year-old business school prodigy Carter (Topher Grace) as his new boss. Carter soon starts seeing Dan’s daughter, played by Scarlett Johansson. The film was considered a satire of corporate culture and took shots at merger mania, mass layoffs, aggressive marketing tie-in practices and ageism, all issues that are still relevant 10 years later. (Watch the trailer above.)

For UTA-repped Bycel and Fener, In Good Company falls under their overall deal at Uni TV. They executive produce the comedy with the film’s producers Paul and Chris Weitz, executive producer Andrew Miano of Deapth of Field and co-producer Kerry Kohansky.

It is very rare for the original creative auspices of a movie to spearhead the TV adaptation. For instance, WME-repped Paul and Chris Weitz co-wrote and directed the movie About A Boy but are not involved in the NBC series (though several of the movie’s producers are).

In Good Company joins a slew of movie titles that are being developed as series this season, including action comedy Rush Hour at CBS.

12 Comments

Anonymous • on Oct 14, 2014 6:38 pm

This is a 1-hr dramedy hybrid? This is SO not a CBS 1-hr idea. it could work at any other network. *MAYBE* they pick up a pilot. But never for a series pickup. This basically amount to a penalty and that’s all.

it's over... • on Oct 14, 2014 6:51 pm

Network comedy executives have hit rock bottom. This is pathetic. Nobody will tune into a show because it’s based off of a movie. This is a last gasp attempt at trying to capture an audience that has left because of all these plot heavy, high concept, based off of movie, gimmicks. Stop with this. Just try for great writing and great characters.

Mr. Bingo Bango • on Oct 14, 2014 6:59 pm

How To Sell A Show In Five Steps:

1) Go to Redbox.
2) Pick a movie. Does it have to be good? No.
3) Tell an Executive it should be a show. Does it have to be a good pitch? No.
4) Cash their check. Does it have to be real money? Yes.
5) Repeat.

Mike • on Oct 14, 2014 7:10 pm

This movie had a great comedic concept. Totally ripe for a TV show — whether anyone remembers the original film or not. Topher Grace was fantastic in the role. I’d love to see him get some great comedy roles again.

Trent • on Oct 14, 2014 7:56 pm

Deadline commenters are the worst. Bycel and Fener are great (especially Bycel). I don’t give a shit that it’s based on a movie, I’d watch it for them. Who said this won’t have great writing? You know, honestly there is a part of me that is happy when movie adaptations get announced. It’s fun to see all these idiots get so fed up about something they have no power over.

Mick • on Oct 14, 2014 9:39 pm

If Bycel is so great, why didn’t he just come up with and pitch an original idea? What kind of talented creator needs some mid-rate studio movie from 10 years ago? Broadcast television is becoming the new movie studio…where creative, original thought goes to die.

Aaron Kosminski • on Oct 14, 2014 9:40 pm

Why even write anything original anymore? Better question – why even hire execs if all they’re good for is trying to turn everything in the film library into a TV show with, wait for it, “pre-awareness”. I’m previously aware that this was a nice little movie that nobody saw (even with Scarlett Johannson).

Let me lay my bridge here • on Oct 14, 2014 10:15 pm

Give it a twist: Make the father and future son-in-law gay and I’m in!

Domi • on Oct 15, 2014 2:02 am

What about How I Met Your Dad? Will CBS try with it for the next season?

Ben • on Oct 15, 2014 6:47 am

Oy vey! The gene pool of originality in Hollywood is drying up. You can almost hear the kid with the banjo playing now.

Lon Zimmet • on Oct 15, 2014 7:56 am

Josh Bycel and Jon Fener are my best friends. Best friends, what kind of meats shall I BBQ this weekend for a celebration! Come over around 11. We can watch sports!

Jason Berger • on Oct 15, 2014 8:13 am

In Good Company? More like in great company. Who’s in great company!? The medium of television with the dynamic duo of Bycel and Fener writing gold!